Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond felicitates 100 women entrepreneurs

Khanna, (Ludhiana) March 11, 2026: Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond on Wednesday honoured 100 women entrepreneurs from the district. 
An event was organised by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats, Punjab, under the Punjab State Rural Livelihood Mission, as part of the initiative “Apna Karobar, Apni Pehchan” (Our Business, Our Identity) and dedicated to International Women’s Day. 
These women entrepreneurs were selected for their achievements in various fields including Farm to Kitchen, Service to Self-Reliance, Digital Didis, Green Livelihoods, Job Creators, Health & Wellness Entrepreneurs, Education & Training Entrepreneurs, Social Impact Champions, 30 Under 30, and other business initiatives. They were honoured with certificates and mementos. 
In his address, Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond stated that the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is providing opportunities for mothers, sisters, and young women to earn their livelihood according to their skills under the program “Apna Karobar, Apni Pehchan.” He added that 100 women entrepreneurs were selected from each of the 117 Assembly constituencies of Punjab. Out of a total of 11,700 women entrepreneurs, around 2,300 are being honoured at the district level. In Ludhiana district alone, 100 women entrepreneurs were honoured today.
Sond further announced that on March 18, 100 women entrepreneurs selected from 23 districts of Punjab will be honoured at the state level by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. Each entrepreneur will receive Rs 25,000 cash, along with a certificate and memento.
The Cabinet Minister also mentioned that the  government will provide interest-free loans to 7,000 women who want to start dairy businesses by purchasing buffaloes or cows. This initiative will not only empower women entrepreneurs but will also help address the shortage of milk in villages and cities. He added that the government is providing Rs 30,000 as a revolving fund to each Self-Help Group (SHG). He also mentioned that the largest number of SHG registrations has taken place during the current government, reflecting the growing enthusiasm among women to start their own businesses.
Sond stated that despite having such talent, previous governments ignored these women but the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led state government has provided them a platform through SARAS Melas and Sakhi Shakti Melas organised across 23 districts, allowing them to set up stalls free of cost to display and sell their products and promote their skills.
Among those present included Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development) Dr Narinder Singh Dhaliwal, District Development and Panchayat Officer Dilawar Kaur, Ramanjit Kaur and other district officials and a large number of women entrepreneurs.